The sky’s were clear, and the temperatures ranging between 94 and 104, perfect weather for the 2nd annual Eastern US Junior HP Clinic and Championship. Juniors from Boston to New Orleans arrived for a week of competitive shooting and clinics from the Marine Service Rifle Team.

A total of 33 juniors participated in this years events with 10 juniors returning from last year and 23 new juniors. The week opened on Sunday with a light day of shooting to gain zeros for the week long competitions that would begin on Monday. After the range was turned over to the Marines from the Commander of Camp Butner on Monday the juniors were split into two groups. The beginners and Intermediate shooters learned about positions, equipment and techniques from one group of the Marines while the advanced group was brought out to the 600 yard line to see a demonstration on how to read wind. Smoke contained in barrels was used to demonstrate direction and speed of the wind. They also discussed other topics such as mirage and lighting that would have an effect on their shots. After a short break for lunch all the juniors were brought out to the 600 yard line for a 20 shot match with coaching from the Marines. Daniel Atkins (GA) was the high shooter with a 195-9, followed by Amanda Elsenboss (CON) 193-10 and Robin Frazier 192-5.

Day two was the Bushmaster 800 aggregate. Up bright and early and on the range by 7:00 am, it was a beautiful day. A slight breeze, clear skys and only about 85 the day was off to a great start. It was amazing to see juniors who had never met each other team up on the lines to shoot, score and work the pits together. Outgoing to shy, male or female it did not matter.  Tthey all had a common interest, improving their skills. I saw experienced shooters share their own equipment with not so experienced shooters to try and help them with their positions on the line. Yes they were concerned about their own performances, but at the same time they wanted to see others improve just like they did from the help of others before them. By the end of the day, 100% humidity and temperatures hovering at about 104 in the sun, the match was completed. Kevin Trickett (MA) placed first with a 783-24, second was Jim Clark (MA) 781-19 and third was Mark Nations 778-14.

Day three was the Whistler Boy “Billy C. Atkins” Match. The match was put together as a clinic format. The teams were put together not by putting top shooters together, but by pairing one top shooter and one beginner shooter. Teams were formed like this to teach the beginner who may have never have shot in this type of match, how it is run, also to see how both can work together to win. The match went very well seeing both cheering each other on thru-out the day. Because there were an odd number of juniors to make teams, the winner of last years Whistler Boy Team Kevin Trickett, was teamed with a volunteer adult, Michelle Belleville, to make the final pair. The juniors shared their knowledge with each other, mixed in the tips they received from their Marine Coaches and topped it with a lot of laughs to create a great match and day. The winning team “Team America World Police” (Mark Nations, George Planeta) followed by “TNT” (Matt Wooten, Randi Hilt) and “Pink Tanks of DEATH” (Chris Hudock, Lyndsey Nash).

That night all were treated to Pizza and soda, complements of the “Bushmaster Firearms”. Bushmaster has been a big supporter of this match and our junior shooters. Unfortunately they were not able to join the events this year, but received a strong round of applause before the pizza boxes were opened.

On day 4, still hot and sunny, the juniors, parents, coaches and the Marines were still gong strong. The day's match was the “Junior E.I.C match. This is a short day in comparison to the other days, only 50 shots and no sighters. The top Non-Distinguished shooters earned EIC award points toward their Distinguished Badge. The top three shooters received CMP EIC Medals (Distinguished or not). The day was exciting; no sighters, so having your zeros played a big part in today’s match. Relay to relay, yard line to yard line we were all on our scopes watching the targets. Scores went up and some went down, cross-fires, saved rounds, alibis, personal bests and a few spiders; we had it all in this match. After it was all done, the top places went to Daniel Atkins, 490-19; Amanda Elsenboss, 482-16; Kevin Trickett 481-13. Amanda and Kevin are already Distinguished so they received 2nd and 3rd place medals. Award points went to Daniel Atkins, 8 points; with 6 points each going to Chris Hudock, 478-11, and Michael Richardson, 474-9. First leather by one point went to Jim Clark, 473-9.

The EIC Match was also the last match for the individual match aggregate for the week. The matches included the EIC, Whistler Boy, 800 point match and 600 yard match. The winner and top junior shooter for the week was Kevin Trickett of Woburn MA with a total score of 1944-63. Kevin will be leaving us in September to go to Fort Benning GA to do his basic training. Upon completion he will join the Army Marksmanship Team as one of their newest members.  Congratulations, Kevin.

Second place went to Daniel Atkins (GA) with a score of 1938-57. Third place and top female went to Amanda Elsenboss of CT. Both Daniel and Amanda will be attending local colleges in September.

The afternoon was finished with a demonstration from the Marines on how to shoot the Infantry Team Match. The juniors formed three teams to shoot the match with coaches from the Marine Team, competing against each other for fun. The top team was Team 352 with Team Captain: SSgt Guillermo Sandoval, USMC, Team Coach: SSgt Jason Benedict, USMC, and team members Daniel Atkins, Daniel Elliott, Steven Head, Michael Richardson, Jessi Trelegan, and Matt Wooten, with a team score of 834. The evening was topped off with a pig roast and some of the famous “Atkins” Lemonade. Donated prizes were handed out to all competitors, thanks to the generous donations of our supporters.

The week concluded with the presentation of plaques and certificates. Thanks to Bob Hughes and Brad Palmer for another great year and of course to the National Guard and the Marines.  Without them this would not have happened. The main point of the clinic was pointed out in the closing comments for the week was not how the top juniors shot, but how they interacted with the other shooters during the week, helping to coach and give emotional support to the new shooters on the line.

Full results can be viewed at http://clubs.odcmp.com/cgi-bin/report_matchResult.cgi?matchID=2421 and pictures can be viewed at http://www.odcmp.com/Photos/07/EJrHPClinic/index.htm. 

Special thanks go out to Bushmaster Firearms, Mr. Billy Atkins, Bob Hughes, Bradford B. Palmer, Maureen Trickett, Michelle Belleville, The U.S. Marine Corps Shooting Team, the competitors, and the many parents and volunteers who helped make this event happen.

The clinic hopes to double in size next year. Tentative dates for the 2008 Eastern Junior Highpower Clinic and Championship are 18 - 27 June at Camp Butner Training Site, North Carolina. Information for the 2008 clinic will be available thru the CMP this Fall. Mark your calendars!

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